Evaporative cooler



March 1l, 1952 R. N. BROOKINS 2,588,512

EVAPORATIVE cool-ER Filed Feb. 1o, 194s 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 fa w C 7 f Il, l/llnvml 1 .l 4 0 v4.04

March 11, 1952 R N, BRooKAlNs EVAPORATIVE: COOLER Filed Feb. 10, 1948 n n JIL Patented Mar. 11, 1952 EVAPORATIVE COLER Richard N. Brookins, South Gate, Calif., asslgnor to Essick Manufacturing Company, Los. A11"- geles, Calif., a corporation of Californial Application February 10, 1948, Serial No. 7,371

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an evaporative cooler and it is more specifically concerned with features ofconstruction pertinent to such a device and particularly to the casing or housing of such a device, it being a general object of the present invention to provide an evaporative cooler having or involving a casing construction which is exceedingly simple and inexpensive of manufacture and is at the same time such as to house the elements of the cooler such as the air circulating means, evaporative pads, water circulating equipment, etc. in a most compact and advantageous man ner.

Evaporatve coolers are characterized, generally, by a box-like casing or housing in 'which the working parts are located, the working parts including mainly filter pads, a water distributing' system for wetting the pads, air circulating means, controls, etc. The case of the ordinary evaporative cooler is ordinarily formed of sheet metal and heretofore such structures have involved numerous parts or sections requiring assembly and necessitating the use of numerous fastening devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a casing for an evaporative cooler involving or including but two unitary sections each of which is essentially L-shaped in conguration and which, when combined, form the essential parts of the case.

Another object of the invention is to provide a case of the general character referred to wherein one of the two sections carries or has joined with it retainers so that when the two sections are joined together the entire structure forms a complete case around the working parts of the cooler, such` as the air circulating means, evaporative pads, etc.

A'further object of the present invention is to provide a casing construction of the general character referred to in which the two sections are such as` to spring or lap together making it unnecessary to employ screws, catches, hooks, or other fasteners such as are commonly employed in connection with casings, or housings wherein parts are relatively movable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a construction of the general character referred to wherein parts of the apparatus are included in or carried by one section while other parts are carried by or included in the other section, and means is provided to connect the parts in the two sections preliminary to iinal assembly s0. that when, tbs Sections, are fully assembled the. parte Within, the sciie'ns 'are @i1- neered fer proper Operation! It is another general object of the present invention to provide a construction of the general character referredv to involving a minimum number of simple, easily formed parts all of which alford a compact, smooth simplified structure that is inexpensive of manufacture and exceptionally simple and easy to handle.

The various objects and` features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application oi my invention, throughout which description reference is. made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the structure being taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of the structurel shown in Fig. 2, being a view taken at the upper rear corner of the structure. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 2, being a view taken at the lower rear corner of the structure. Fig. 5 is a plan section taken at one corner of the structure, being a view taken generally as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 2,. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the structure taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan section taken as indicated by line 1-1 on Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the two. main sections of the structure separated and in position ready to be assembled.

The structure embodying the present invention includes, generally, a case made up of two unitary sections, one a main section A and the other a back section B. The structure further includes side sections C, preferably joined to and carried by one of the rst mentioned sections. In the case illustrated the side sections are joined to and make a part of the back section B. The structure further includes retainers joining or coupling` the sections A and B and in the preferred form of the invention there is a retainer D where the rear end of the bottom section joins the lower end of the back section and a retainer E where thev upper end of the front section joins the forward end of the back section. Itis also preferred that the'constructionv include retainers F holding the lower forward portions of the side sections'v C. In the construction including the present invention there is an air circulating means G, preferably a motor driven fan, a water supply line H entering the structure to supply water thereto, cQntrolnieans J and K for the means G and the supply line H, respectively, a plurality of evaporative elements L, holders M for the elements L, a water distributing system N coupled with the supply line H through the control K and operable to supply water to the elements L, and a support O for the elements B and C.

The case sections A and B are unitary elements built up of sheet metal, and in accordance with the invention each of the sections is generally L-shaped in form, the main section A being formed essentially of a front Ill and a bottom II while the back section Bis formed essentially of a top I2 and a back I3. The sections A and B combined with the retainers D and E, form a construction which is assembled into the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings wherein the sections are held together, establishing a casing construction suitable for carrying the varous other elements of the apparatus. The casing sections A and B are so formed and related as to engage each other and remain in assembled condition without the use of fasteners of any form whatsoever except for the retainers D and E, all of which will be more specifically described.

The front I of the main section A may be a panel-like part, for instance, a fiat vertically disposed sheet or plate such as is shown in the drawings, and is preferably formed with an opening I5 through which the air cooled by the evaporative action occurring within the structure discharges into a room or other area. It is to be understood, of course, that the front I0 may be varied widely from the form and construction illustrated in the drawings, as circumstances or fancy may dictate.

The bottom II of case section A may be a at or substantially flat plate-like part horizontally disposed with its forward edge portion joined to the lower edge portion of the front I0 at a corner I6 which may be suitably curved.

'Ihe back section B is characterized by the top I2 and back I3, the rear edge portion of the top I2 being joined to the upper edge portion of the back I3 at a corner I1. When the sections A and B are assembled, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 6 of the drawings, the forward edge portion of top I2 adjoins the upper edge portion of front I0 while the lower edge portion of back I3 joins the rear edge portion of bottom II. So far as the broader principles of the invention are concerned the form, shape or character of the parts I2 and I3 may vary widely. In'the case illustrated the top I2 is shown as a fiat plate-like part free of openings, whereas the back I3 is shown as a plate formed with a plurality of openings or air passages I8, the passages being formed by the provision of louvers I 9 in the back in the manner common to structures of this general character.

The retainer D that occurs at the lower rear portion of the case where the rear edge of bottom II joins the lower edge of back I3 is pieferably a simple upstanding or vertically disposed part which may, in practice, be a flange-like part projecting upwardly from the bottom II. The ange-like part 20 may be of considerable vertical extent in order to properly cooperate with other parts to establish the tray that will be hereinafter described, to carry the support O and also to carry the holder which serves to hold the element L located at the inner side of the back I3 as will be hereinafter described.

The retainer E at the upper edge of the Vfront I0, where the forward edge `of the top I 2 joins the front l0, iS preferably a rearwardly prgjeting ange-like partr22 projecting from the front I0. It is preferred in practice that the flange-like part 22 be integrally joined with the front I0 while the ange part 20 is integrally joined with the bottom II. The sections A and B are so formed and related that when the lower edge portion of the back I3 is engaged within or be# hind the iiange 20 the forward edge portion on the top I2 can be engaged under or beneath the flange part 22 as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The sections A and B, being formed of sheet metal, have sufficient inherent resilience to enable assembly or joinder of the sections at the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In practice it has been found desirable to so form the main section A as to have the front II) thereof extend upwardly and slightly rearwardly from the forward edge portion of the bottom II when the section A is separated from section B so that when the section B is assembled with the section A the upper edge portion of the front IU is deflected somewhat forwardly, with the result that it exerts a rearward pressure against the upper edge portion of the section B, thus maintaining the sections A and B in a snugly joined assembly.-

In accordance with the preferred form of the present invention the main section A has its bot tom II provided with upstanding side iianges 3&-

and with an upstanding front ange 3|. The forward ends of iianges 38 are joined to the ends of flange 3| and the rear ends of flanges 30 are joined to the ends of the flange part 28, all with the result that the assembly of flanges combined with the at bottom form an upwardly opening tray or basin that serves to catch water draining from the elements L or other parts of the structure, when the apparatus is in operation. In practice the bottom II and several flanges are integrally joined or formed of a single continuous sheet of metal, so that the basin is free of joints or connections subject to leakage. It is desirable to provide the bottom II with a. drain opening and a suitable drain connection 33 The front II) of the section A is provided at its side edges with rearwardly projecting flange parts 34 and at its bottom edge with a rearwardly projecting flange 35. The upper ends of the side nanges 34 join with the ends of the flange 22 of retainer E while the lower ends of the side anges 34 join with the ends of the bottom iiange 35. Mounting or face iianges 3G proiect from the flanges 22, 34 and 35 in a common plane, somewhat to the rear of the plane of the front I0. The front IIJ, flanges 22, 34, 35, and several anges 36 may be formed of one continuous or integral sheet of material.

With the front III and the bottom II formed as above described the forward edge portion of the bottom part II, with its forward end flange 3I, nests or seats in the corner formed bythe bottom flange and the lower edge portion of the front I0, and these parts are preferably permanently secured together or integrally joined as by Welding, or the like, and through such joinder or connection the section A is assembled as a permanent or unitary L.shaped structure.

The top I2 of section B is preferably a fiat panel-like part with downwardly turned edge iianges 4I) which join at the corners and which are preferably integral with the flat panel-like part of the top. The back I3 of section B is preferably provided at its upper end or edge with a forwardly projecting flange 4I which nts against the under side of the top I2, immediately inside of the iiange 40, depending from the rear edge 0f the '-0091 .fQIWerdly projecting danse 42 projects from the lower edge ot the back I3 to engage the 'support O provided at the rear of the structure. The flange 40 at the rear edge o! top I3 overlaps or depends somewhat over the upper edge portion of the back I3 while the flange 4I seats against the lower side of the top I2. These parts are preferably joined by welding, or the like. so that the top and back are united into an integral or permanent unit. y The side sections C are preferably'alike and are generally similar to the back I3 of section B. Each side section C includes a plate or panel-like part 45 with a plurality of openings established bythe provision of louvers 46. The rear edge portion of each side section C is joined to the back; I3 by a corner 41 and in practice the plates or panels '45 of the side section C may be integrally joined with the back I3. these parts being formed of one single continuous sheet of material bent into a generally U-shaped structure with vertically disposed parts forming the back.y

of section B and the panels of the two side sections C. The forward edge portion of each side section C is provided with an inwardly turned or projecting flange 48 and in the particular form of the invention illustrated the flanges 48 of sec- I tions C cooperatively engage the retainers F. The

plate of each side section C has an inwardly turned flange 48 at its lower edge to engage the support O.

The upper edge portions of the plates 45 of side sections C engage behind or within the flanges 40 depending from the top I2 and inwardly turned or horizontal flanges 50 are provided on the upper edges of .the plates 45 similar to the ilanges 4I on the back I3. The anges 50 engage the under side of the top I2 andit is preferred that they be permanently joined to the top I3 as by welding, or the like. With the upper edge portion of the back I3 permanently joined to the rear edge por tion of the top I2 and with the upper edge portions of the side sections C permanently joined with the edge portions of the top I2. the back section B and the side sections C form a rigid stable structure best illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

The support or supports O serve to support the'section B from the section A, and when sections C are joined to section B the supports O support both the section B and the sections C. Each support O may be in the nature of an inwardly projecting ange 55 provided on an upstanding flange of the .bottom II. I show a flange 55 projecting inwardly from the ilange 30 at each side of the bottom II and theiilanges 43 and the lower edges of the side plates-45 rest ori-the. anges 55. There is a ilange 55 projecting horizontally from the flange or retainer 2l at; the rear edge of the bottom I I and the ange 42; at the lower end or edge of the back I3 rests on. this iiange 55. When the section B with the sections C combined therewith is properly engaged with section A so that it is properly held by the ilanges and 22, the iiange 42 rests on the supporting flange 55 at the rear of the structure, as shown in Fig. 2, while the flanges 43 rest on the supporting flanges 55 at the sides of the structure, as shown in Fig. 6.

The retainers F are provided to engage or hold the forward lower corners of the side sections C so that these parts ofthe side sections are ilangesv when the side sections are engaged with the supports. The retainers may be inthe :cnn o: projections 50 projecting rearwardly lfrom the inner side 'ofthe front I4 to be engaged by the il'anges 4l at thepforward vertical edges ofthe plates 4l. The prpjections 50 are spaced somewhat from the side 'flanges that project rearwardly from the vertical edges of the front IB and the 'flanges 48 on the side sections C are such as to fit between the projections G and the side :langes projpcting from the vertical edges of the front I4.' @he projections 6I! may be inclined to extend downwardly and inwardly and the parts may be related and proportioned 'so that as the flanges 4Q at the lower edges of the side sections move into position on the supports O the side sections fare wedged or forced 'somewhat outwardly tobe'ar snugly against the upper edge portions offthe nanges30 projecting upwardly :from the bottom Il, thus providing a smooth t between the lower edge portions of the side 'sections and the bottom II of sectill A. i 1:

The air circulator or circulating means G provided in the apparatus preferably involves a fan 65 driven Aby a Amotor 268 mounted on a stand 51 projecting upwardly from the bottom I I. The fan circulates air out through the opening I5 in the front In of section A. the air thus circulated being drawn in through the openings provided in the side sections C and the back I3. The control J provided for the rmeans G preferably includes a suitable switch $8 in the power line 59 extending to the motor 66. The switch 68 is shown mounted at the rear side o! the iront In and an `.operating knob 10 for the motor is located at theiront side of the iront I IJ.

The evaporative element or cells L may, in practice, be of any suitable"l form or construction. They are shown as envelopes 1I carrying suitable material IIa such as excelsior. or the like, the envelopes being held in the holders M which, in practice, may be frame-like structures suitably supported at the inner sides of the back I3 and side panels 45. The holders M are shown supported from the ilanges 42 and 49 by clips 12 and. hold the excelslor illled envelopes over f the openings in the back and side panels.

The water distributing system is shown as including distributor pipes 15 located immediately beneath the top [2 and over the elements L, the several vpipes 15 having jet openings 16 that discharge water onto the cells L. The several pipes 15 are joined vto a common header 11. The supply line H is shown entering the structure through the front I0 at one side thereof and the control means K includes a valve 81| controlling flow from the supply line and havingv an operating handle 8l atthe front side of the front I0 of section A. A ysuitable: `fluid connection is provided between the valvell and the header 11. This connection A involves.v generally, a delivery pipe 82 extending from the valve -at the rear of the front I0, a receiving vl pipe 83 .depending from the header .1T below' the'top i2, and a. flexible connector 84 which joins the..v pipes 82 "and 83. The flexible connector 84 is initially applied to one or the other of the pipes,` as for instance, to the pipe 83 land as the sections A and B are being assembled,v and while the forward edge portion of the top I2' is spaced somewhat from the upper edge portion of the front I4, the operator reaches into the structure and applies the flexible connector 84 to the pi'pe82.

' From. the foregoing description 'it will be ap- .parent thanv I havemrovided ,a case which is formed .essentially of the L-shaped sections A 'andB and'that the `ticle sections can be joined 7 to' or carried byl one' or the other ofthe rst' mentioned sections.- The two units areeasily assembled or iitted together and, being formed 'of sheet metal, they possess sufficient yield or spring to. allow for assembly into-theposition shown in. Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and when assemr bled they are firmly and-securely joined, makingit unnecessary to employ screws, hooks, or like fasteners. In the process of bringing the sections,

A and B together-the fluid connection is estab-f lished, as above described, thus making -the entirestructure ready for operation. By suitably regu-- l-ating the flow of water into the elements L and by operating the fan by means of the .motor 66, the apparatus will serve as an evaporative4 cooler so that'l the air discharged through the opening in the front of section A` is considerably cooler. than that drawn in through the back and-the sides. Through the' present invention there are but few simple parts, the various essential parts of the case being formed of sheetl metal and the structure is particularly desirablersince it is'free of fasteners such 'asscrews or bolts likely to jar loose or to become fouled through oxidation, or' the like. When it is desired to open the structure it is merely necessary to spring the front ID forward from the upper edge portion ofthe top l2 freeing the section B so that it can be swung upwardly and rearwardly away from section A to be finally lifted'away from section A, freeing the two sections in a'manner such as is shown inFig. 8of the drawings' Having described'only a typical preferred form and application of my'invention, I do not wish to. be limited or restricted flto'ithe specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve' to myself any Variations or modifications that-.may appear' to those skilled in the art and fall: Within the scope of the following claims. :zc

Having `described `my invention; AI claim z4 1. A cooler caseof the vcharacter described including, two separable unitarysectionszeach generally L-shaped,'1 one section being-a main section including a 'lower horizontally `disposed part forming the entire bottom of the casel and 'further including a front permanently joined tothe said part and projecting up therefrom, and the other section being a back section including a top and a back, and releasable retainers holding the lower edge portion of the back joined with.: the rear edge portion of the bottom and holdingzthe upper edge portionv of the front joined* with. the Aforward edge portion of the top. r 'i f j rf.- .af N

2. A cooler case of the character'described inc'luding, two separable unitary sections each'generally L-shaped, one a main section including alower horizontally disposed part forming the entire bottom of the case and a -front joined to anI edge of said part and projectiriguptherefrom, and the other a back section' including. a top and.` a back joined to -an edge offfthe' top Aand depending therefrom, and retainersreleasably holding the lower edge portion of the back joinedgwith the rear edge portion of the bottom and-holding the upper edge portion of the front joined .lllii'fll4 the forward edge portion of the top, one retainer including a horizontally projectingpart onlibe upper Aedge portion of the frontend-the :other retainer including a vertically projecting part onthe rear edge portion of the bottom. v

3. A case of the character described including two unitary sections each generally L.-shaped, one a-main section including a bottom anda front, and the other a back section includingV a top and a back.. a .a-.nee projecting upwardly .from .the

rear edge of the bottom and holding the lower edge portion of the back joined with the reariedge portion of the bottom and a part holding-theupper edge-portion of the front joined with. the

forward edge portion of the top, and upwardly. projecting flanges on the front and. side edges of.

the bottom cooperating with the vbottom and the flange projecting upward from the rear edge of the bottom forming a liquid catching tray in the bottom of the case.

4. A case of the character described including.

two unitary sections each generally L-shaped, one a'. main section including a bottom andaf'front. and the other a back section including a topand a back, retainers holding the lower edge portionl of the back joined with the rear edge portion of.'

the bottom and holding the upper edge portion of the front joined with the forward edge portion:

of the top, one retainer including a horizontally projecting top fiange on the upper edge portion of the front and the other retainer including a vertically projecting flange on the rear edge portion of the bottom, the front having a rearwardly projecting bottom flange on its lower edge engag.

ing under the bottom and having rearwardly projecting side flanges on its side edges joined with the top flange and with the bottom flange.

5. A case of the character described including, two unitary sections each generally Leshaped.; one a main section including a bottom and a front, and the other a back section including a top and a back,v a rear flange on the bottom :holding the* lower edge portion of the back joined with thev rear edge portion of the bottom and a top flange holding the upper edge portion of the front joined with the forward edge portion of the top, upwardly projecting anges on the front and side edges of the bottom cooperating with the bot.- tom and the rear flange forming a liquid catching tray in the bottom of the case, a rearwardly projecting bottomilangeat the lower edge of the front and rearwardly projecting side fianges at the side edges of the front joined to the top'flange and to the bottom flange. l

6. 'A cooler case of the character descrbed infcluding, two separable unitary sections each gen-v erally L-shaped, one a main section including a part forming a complete bottom for the case and a front permanently joined to and projecting up from said part, and the other a back sectionincluding a top and a back permanently joined to the top and depending from an edge thereof, retainers releasably holdingthe lowerjedge portion of the back joined with-the rear edge portion of the bottom and holding 'the upper'edge portion:

of the front joined with the'forward edge por-j. tion of the top, and sides carried by one section andreleasably engaged with-the other section.

g 7. A cooler case of the character described including,` two separable unitary sections each genrerally L-shaped, one a main section including a part forming the entire bottom of the case and a front permanently joined to an edge of said part and projecting up therefrom, and the other' aback section including a top and a back joined to an` edge of the top and depending therefrom,

retainers releasably holding the lower edge por-1 tion of the back joined with the rear vedge por-4 tion of the bottom and holding the upper edge portion of the front joined with the forward edge portion of the top, and sides carried by the back section and releasably engaged with the other sectior1.-I -A v f V8. In combination two separable uni-tary case sSQ'iQns, one ,al main section having an upwardly opening tray shaped liquid carrying bottom and a vertically disposed front projecting upwardly at the forward edge of the bottom, and the other a back section including a back depending into the bottom and having a top with its forward edge portion releasably engaged with the upper edge portion of the front, and side sections carried by theV back section in engagement with the bottom and the front.

9. In combination two separable unitary case sections, one a main section having an upwardly opening tray shaped liquid carrying bottom and edge portion of the front, and side sections carried by the back section in engagement with the bottom and the front, the back of the backA section and the side sections having air passagesy therethrough.

RICHARD N. BROOKINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 929,865 Mahony Aug. 3, 1909 2,013,270 Grady Sept. 3, 1935 2,051,874 Macready et al. Aug. 25, 1936 2,095,583 Wigeland Oct. 12, 1937 2,115,720 Holmes May 3, 1938 2,154,242 Kucher Apr. 11, 1939 2,192,862 Eagley Mar. 5, 1940 2,289,825 Burton et al. July 14, 1942 2,296,155 Feinberg Sept. 15, 1942 2,396,024 Seaman Mar. 5, 1946 2,404,479 Essick July 23, 1946 

